Chapter 21: Why Do You Wash the Quilt Every Day?

In the dim light of dawn, Yin Buqi’s last thread of rationality told him to leave quickly, but his body refused to obey.

The woman walked towards him, dripping wet, wearing only a thin outer robe. Beneath it, she wore nothing.

She leaned close to his ear, her breath warm and fragrant: “Buqi, you’re being naughty, spying on me while I bathe.”

Her smooth, tender thighs brushed against him through the fabric of his clothes, creating an ambiguous, seductive contact.

She looked both beautiful and enchanting.

Yin Buqi’s breath hitched, his hands instinctively wrapping around her waist.

This was his Niannian.

Overwhelmed by desire, he rubbed his lips against her earlobe, the warm, soft sensation almost driving him mad.

“Buqi…”

“Yes, I’m here.”

His gaze grew deep.

“Niannian, I’m here.”

“Owo?”

“Owo!”

Hearing the noise, Yin Buqi suddenly opened his eyes.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and Coal Ball was lying on his stomach, peeking at him with its head.

Seeing him awake, it happily bounced a few times on his chest.

“Owo! Owo!” Time to eat!

The heavy weight falling on him made Yin Buqi feel a weight on his chest.

He had been immersed in a passionate dream with Jiang Niannian, only to be abruptly woken by this little beast.

Yin Buqi’s face darkened, his red eyes filled with anger.

Gathering his spiritual energy, he forcefully expelled Coal Ball from the room.

“Owo?!!!”

It just wanted a few breaths of yin energy for breakfast!

Coal Ball rolled around on the ground in confusion, quickly fleeing with a big snot bubble on its face.

Yin Buqi leaned against the headboard, covering his eyes with his arm, taking a while to calm down.

Another dream…

He got out of bed, noticing a lump of… in the quilt.

The long black lashes cast a shadow over the red eyes, concealing his thoughts.

After a while, he replaced the bedding, putting it in a bamboo basket with other clothes, and went outside with the basket.

In the morning mist of the mountains, everything was still unclear.

Spring turned to autumn, and he had spent sixteen years in the Guiyuan Formation, feeling somewhat disconnected from reality.

Yin Buqi wandered around the bamboo courtyard but found no one.

He calculated the days, and a hint of affection appeared in his eyes.

The Guiyuan Formation opened every year on the third day of March at midnight and closed the next day at dawn.

Jiang Niannian was probably out gathering things again.

The Guiyuan Formation had plenty of spirit stones, enough for her to spend.

He wasn’t very interested in the world outside the formation, but Jiang Niannian enjoyed it.

Looking at the tightly closed bamboo door next door, he hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

The room was neat and clean, with bookshelves piled high with novels.

He slowly approached the bed, burying himself in the quilt, greedily savoring its scent.

The brocade quilt was soft and comfortable, warm as if it had absorbed days of sunlight, just like Jiang Niannian.

He wasn’t surprised by his own actions, as he had grown accustomed to it.

A few years ago, Jiang Niannian had suddenly tidied up the room next door and smiled at him, saying, “You’re a big kid now; you can’t sleep with me anymore. Look, this is your new room.”

At that time, he had stared at her, his heart aching severely.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Niannian was adamant, and he said no more, taking the quilt to the next room.

Jiang Niannian was truly harsh.

Soon, the room was filled with heavy breathing.

Yin Buqi’s black hair, held back by a jade ring, loosened slightly.

His eyes, usually cold and aloof, now showed a rare hint of redness.

……

He buried his face in the quilt, feeling comfortable as his throat rumbled, letting out a low, slightly hoarse moan: “Niannian…”

When Jiang Niannian came back, Yin Buqi was by the creek, washing the quilt.

“Buqi, why are you washing the quilt again?”

Jiang Niannian, carrying a large bamboo basket filled with treasures, asked cheerfully.

“You shouldn’t wash it so often; it makes it less warm… And why did you wash my quilt too?”

Yin Buqi was silent for a moment before replying, “It’s always better to clean it thoroughly. Summer is approaching, and we won’t be able to use thick covers.”

“Do you need my help?” Jiang Niannian rolled up her sleeves and prepared to join him.

But unexpectedly, Yin Buqi suddenly said, “No need!”

The sudden exclamation startled Jiang Niannian.

She tilted her head, considering that staying might be pointless, and walked away with the large bamboo basket, mumbling, “The little cub’s obsession with cleanliness is getting worse.”

Not only does he have a cleanliness obsession, but he also insists on washing her things too.

It feels odd.

Yin Buqi looked at the quilt soaked in creek water, frowning slightly.

At this rate, she will find out sooner or later…

But so what? She was meant to be his.

What if… she doesn’t have those feelings for him, and he scares her away with his impulsiveness?

With these thoughts, Yin Buqi seemed to give up and throw the quilt into the water.

Niannian doesn’t understand anything!

He’s twenty-four, not four or fourteen.

The person he loves is always in front of him but out of reach.

Doesn’t he deserve some relief?

Sooner or later, he will eat her up completely and swallow her into his stomach!

Yin Buqi hung the quilt on a tree branch to dry and went into Jiang Niannian’s room.

She was lying on the couch, reading a newly bought book.

Cultivators above the Golden Core stage can maintain their youthful appearance. Over the past sixteen years, her appearance hasn’t changed at all… Well, she has changed a bit; her chest seems to have developed quite a bit.

With delicate willow-leaf brows, almond eyes that are as gentle as water, skin as white as jade, and slightly parted vermilion lips, which made her face even more gentle and beautiful.

Her long black hair flowed down her back, somewhat disheveled but unexpectedly beautiful.

Seeing Yin Buqi enter, she sat up leisurely and said, “Buqi, what do you want for lunch? I’ll cook for you.”

Yin Buqi sat down beside her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his head on her neck.

“As long as it’s made by Niannian, I’ll like it.”

“You,” Jiang Niannian smiled.

Such intimate gestures didn’t surprise Jiang Niannian. She just thought that her cub had always been clingy since he was a child, so there was nothing strange about it.

“…Niannian, why did you start reading these?” Yin Buqi glanced at the content of the book with a slightly narrowed, sharp gaze.

Even with soft lashes, he couldn’t hide the intensity of his eyes.

Jiang Niannian was taken aback, then felt a bit embarrassed.

“I heard that dual cultivation can enhance one’s cultivation and is quite enjoyable, so I was curious and bought a few books. The male protagonists in these books are either elegant like immortals, exceptionally talented, or chivalrous. There are also illustrations next to it, which is really exciting and broadens my horizons.”

Yin Buqi tightened his embrace, his arms squeezing her waist.

“…Then who does Niannian want to practice dual cultivation with? Do you not want me anymore?”

Jiang Niannian was surprised.

They had lived in the Guiyuan Formation for sixteen years, and in Yin Buqi’s small world, there was only her.

So when she grew close to someone else, he would feel uneasy, afraid she would drift away from him.

Jiang Niannian gently stroked his hair and said, “Don’t worry. I will always be with you until you find a wife. I’m just afraid that once you get married, you might forget about me.”

“Impossible… I don’t want anyone but Niannian. Niannian, don’t ever think of escaping from me in this life.

Yin Buqi murmured, looking at the book in Jiang Niannian’s hand.

His red eyes were icy, but his tone was extremely gentle.

“Can I borrow this book, Niannian? I’d like to see what this dual cultivation is all about.”